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So I go in to register for a 45 player cash turney this morning and a screen pops up that says "Currently american players a unable to play any cash games, further any money you have on deposit is being held by the FBI until further notice".

Thinking this is a stupid joke I go over to FullTilt, where I have about $50...I am met with a huge FBI and Dept of Justice Symbol on the main page, and cannot go any further.

Before I go any further, yes I am aware online gambling is illegal in the US and has been since 2006. So understand that I cannot be that upset about losing approx $200 in deposits between the 2 companies. I've had an account with Pokerstars for 7 years, previously there had been talk by the Feds about how there wasnt a whole lot they could do about these sites as they were offshore So I "thought: i was good.

But what pisses me off is the short-sightedness of the American Government regarding Online gambling. How is it any different than walking into a convenience store and spending $20 on lotto and scratch offs? Or going down to the Horse track a mere 5 miles form my house and plopping down $200 on "'Ol Swayback" to win? Poker is less a game of chance than any of those.

Come on Feds, you are being victorian in your ways, catch up with the rest of the world, just tax online gambling and watch the money roll in. Leave us gamblers alone.Fuckin idiots.

So, there goes another vice of mine, I'm only left with smoking.

When I go to pay my taxes, I think I will deduct $200 from what I owe and tell them they already got that with this seizure

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Wait a minute, dont you live on the Isle of Man? I think FullTilt is headquartered there...can you go knock on their door and get my money? Tell 'em Wumpy wants to know "wher my money bitch?"

I think there are several online gambling outfits headquartered on the Rock. I'm supposed to be going into Douglas (the capital, where it all happens, except for what happens in Peel) shopping with my bgf on Monday, we'll go kick a few doors in and slap some faces for you. If we manage to recover any of your money, my mate and I will be taking 40%.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Stay out of their casinos especially if you play slots from time to time. They operate under different laws and if you were actually lucky enough to hit a jackpot, chances are they would say the machine experienced a malfunction and you would not get the pay out.

Funds ProtectedOn the Isle of Man we make sure that all licensee's have a system in place which fully protects all player funds. This means that any deposits or winnings you have with an island regulated gaming firm are secure and can be enforced by law

I wonder if MY funds are protected since I was playing the game within the borders of the US (illegal), but legally sent my money to the Isle of Man>? Perhaps they can just send me a check instead of direct depositing into my account like they had in the past.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

The issue of legalizing online poker in the US has been the source of several long standing debates. Several states in the US have been trying to legalize it in the hopes of generating bigger revenue. Washington D.C. recently became the first US State to pass a law allowing people to wager on online poker. This law was passed on the 7th of April 2011 without any objection from Congress.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

The issue of legalizing online poker in the US has been the source of several long standing debates. Several states in the US have been trying to legalize it in the hopes of generating bigger revenue. Washington D.C. recently became the first US State to pass a law allowing people to wager on online poker. This law was passed on the 7th of April 2011 without any objection from Congress.

Fuck that shit. If you're stupid enough to stick your hard earned in the greedy slits you deserve everything you get. Gambling is legal, not compulsory.

If it matters Hopey and seeing as Wumpy has dibs on the Bridge, would you be interested in buying a rather large rock?

No PayPal, by the way.

MtD

Hell yea I want that big rock! All the tourons that go there would have to pay bigger bucks to see it. I love to gamble and will be up in Atlantic City two weeks from today trying my luck on the slots and roulette. I doubt I would do the online thing because I like the excitement of being in the actual casino. When I had more expendable income I would go to Vegas at least 3 times a year and we went to AC so much we got free rooms comped to us at Caesars.

Its fun to watch too. The high stakes area at Caesars many times has a table or two where 25 - 50K is thrown down per hand. That is too rich for my blood but I do get a kick out of living vicariously through some of those who can afford it.

The 50p used to have a couple motorcycles on it in honour of the TT races, but it's recently been replaced by a computer - think it's something to do with the Rock being one of the first places to roll out 3G technology or some such techie-nerd bs.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I really don't understand the appeal of gambling -- I mean is there anything more pathetic than some overweight woman from Nebraska yanking continually on a slot machine? The only casino I actually enjoyed was the one in Monaco... I went with meech.

Oh, and there used to be this 24 hour gay club in Atlantic City opposite the casinos and seriously I've never seen a more Sketch-O-Rama atmosphere. Queens that worked in the casinos, you know like gay Jersey Shore types, would get off their shifts and then load up on vodka and meth until their next shift. Que Tweak!... I think it's closed now though.

I think I know about that place. Did it appear on an HBO special a few years back? AC does have a certain 'charm' about it and yea, the gay Jersey Shore types abound. The biggest slot jackpot we ever hit was on a 5 dollar machine.... payout was 25,000 bucks. That was a very special moment. Of course if one thinks that will happen again, they are delusional.

Fuck that shit. If you're stupid enough to stick your hard earned in the greedy slits you deserve everything you get. Gambling is legal, not compulsory.

MtD

Oh puhhhleaze your highness. No one is forcing anyone to gamble. I gamble , you dont. Whatever. I Along with perhaps 10 million other Americans lost some money today(me, a measely $200) because we were doing something the US Gov has deemed Illegal. I am a criminal, I acknowledge that.

Part of my point, was that the US needs to tax, legalize and put in place strict oversight and allow US companies to operate online gambling sites within the US. Apparently 60% of the revenue , estimated in the billions, for these offshore companies come from America. What happened today, will slow down the US online gambling for a while, but it will not stop it. Why not tax it (and stop taxing my damn cigarettes), reap the benefits, and stop this money from going to the Isle of Man (sorry Ann there goes that Subway) and other places?

Already on the blogs I am seeing workarounds for Americans, apparently there is a way to hide your ISP address to get around the American block, and to fund the accounts you can send money orders.

I won't go to card-rooms, titty joints, or Indian casino's, I'm way too over-indulgentin those places, but will go to glory holes and leather bear bars but I digress, hubby & I will go play the nickle and progressive pennies slots, they last all night long, them dam quarters go way to fast

« Last Edit: April 16, 2011, 02:30:04 PM by denb45 »

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

we will go play the nickle and progressive pennies slots, them dam quarters go way to fast

I think that with the budget I set for myself it will be best to do that too Dennis. Its a good thing that my buddy I am going with still gets free rooms (now at Ballys). They took that privilege away from me about 4 years ago when my financial stability went south.

Willy - If you have some Mad Dog 20-20 count me in buddy! I want it on ice in a paper cup!

I think that the budget I set for myself it will be best to do that too Dennis. Its a good thing that my buddy I am going with still gets free rooms (now at Ballys). They took that privilege away from me about 4 years ago when my financial stability went south.

Willy - If you have some Mad Dog 20-20 count me in buddy! I want it on ice in a paper cup!

Weeeeee Mad Dog 20-20 Oh Fuck yeah, hey willy let's party I got some Old English 800, and a box of maduro cigars anyone in?

« Last Edit: April 16, 2011, 02:43:49 PM by denb45 »

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

It cost the studio a fortune because it was filmed in Paris. I like it cause its so fake. Von Sternberg's 1941 Shanghai Gesture is another irreal film about gambling. I probably would gamble if I could be a film noir type gambling in Shangai at "Mother Gin Sling"'s casino. Who wouldn't!

James Bond films often have good gambling scenes.

All fantasies aside, I've had fun a few times at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. You don't have to gamble - just people watching is interesting enough for a few hours.

Charlie Sheen is at Foxwoods tomorrow night! Competing with Ricky Martin at Mohegan!

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ďFrom each, according to his ability; to each, according to his needĒ 1875 K Marx

I use to work for an investment group that sent teams into both the Miccosukee and Seminole gaming casinos here in Florida. It was a pretty cool gig when I first started. I would work 48 hours on and then have 48 hours off. During shift I would basically be on call. When a call would come through I would have to go to one of the 5 casinos in the area and gauge the growth of the banks (jackpots) at various stations. If the growth met a certain rate per hour and the jackpot went past a certain value we would send teams in to take every seat in the bank. What that means is if they have 24 seats tied to that jackpot we would take all 24 seats. That was pretty much all I did for the first year, and I loved it. It paid very well and I used the ample off time on another full-time job. During my second and third year though they put me on surveillance over our own employees. I no longer attended company parties because the employees themselves were not to know I worked for the company. I would have to go into casinos at all hours on call, trying to find out if an employee was stealing or short changing deposits. Sometimes they would even request I get film on the person stealing. When I started getting followed home I decided it wasn't for me anymore.

I don't know how it is everywhere else, but here in Florida I am surprised that the casino patrons are not aware that teams come in. It's kind of a janky business really and the casinos were totally cool with us doing this as long as we kept it low key. I've talked to some of my friends who go to casinos regularly and they don't even have a clue this exist. Once I tell them what to look for they usually come back telling me they caught witness to a team at work. We would even buy your seat from you if we had to...

Blame this Australian guy. He used to process all the money of the online gambling companies but started to help himself to some of their profits (a few hundred million). They got pissed and dobbed him into the feds then he got even and rolled on them, made a deal with the feds and is currently telling the feds all he knows and how to find the billions of dollars they hide around the world. Moral of the story, if you are doing something illegal then you canít complain to the police when someone rips you off.

DANIEL TZVETKOFF, the fallen Australian internet tycoon turned FBI informant, may have brought down the multibillion-dollar US online poker industry.

The Brisbane entrepreneur, 28, is believed to have been key to charges against 11 people, including the founders of three of the biggest internet poker companies in the US, over alleged fraud and money laundering.

The sites PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker have been shut down.Advertisement: Story continues below

Their founders have been accused of laundering billions of dollars through fake bank accounts and shell companies.

Mr Tzvetkoff has reportedly begun helping the FBI to save himself from similar charges.

He was arrested in Las Vegas last April charged with money laundering, bank fraud and conspiracy for processing $US543 million in illegal internet gambling earnings through his British Virgin Islands corporation, Intabill.

It is interesting Skeebs how the casinos run by groups other than State Gaming Commissions operate. A central computer runs the Random Number Generators in many of the casinos and that means they can tighten all the machines in one fell swoop. Most casinos here in the states that fall under the State Gaming Commissions (e.g., Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, etc) contain slot machines where unique RNG chips exist in each machine. They still can change the payout percentages but it takes more effort and by law they have to offer a mandated payout. Of course even those casinos can send in disguised staff to act like Joe Schmoe when progressive jackpots pass a certain dollar amount. That way the cash does not leave the casino and others see what appears to be a winner. I thought that is what was going on at Caesars on the $5,000 a pull slot. There was a guy playing three credits per pull (15K) and he hit a huge jackpot... it did make for quite a show. Of course people were watching and dreaming of such a hit being their own.

Slots are fun and should be used for entertainment at best. Table games offer better odds and if a person is really going to the casino to try and win some money, tables are where the player should gamble. I enjoy a few spins at roulette (usually outside bets) but have had a few straight up hits in my day.

The Atlantic City crowd is not at all like the Vegas crowd. In Vegas its more of a younger crowd that is typically having fun. AC brings in more of the geriatric types with their portable oxygen tanks and very few people actually look like they are having any fun.

That entire marina district is where the new casinos are being built. The Water Club is Borgata's new tower and is definitely top drawer. For us regular folks, its Ballys and its comped (free) so thats where we will go. The thing that amazes me about Caesars Atlantic City is that you cant even get a decent capuchino there. You would figure... when in Rome.

Oh well. I am still looking forward to hanging out with my buddy and then a quick trip to Balto, Wash DC, and West Va afterwards before heading back down the road.

The closest I've come to Vegas is watching The Cooler on DVD. Although I have known someone who won 5 million in the lottery. He spiralled into cocaine addiction and eventually killed himself.

Lucky guy.

This happens really commonly to people who win large sums of cash out of the blue. Man if I won a couple of million dollars I would invest probably half of it to make even more money and then just enjoy the rest of my life without worrying about income. I'd probably find a job I enjoy rather than one I need to make living possible though.

From the wiki entry:Falana became a major star of Italian cinema beginning in 1967. In Italy she learned to speak fluent Italian while starring in three movies, the first of which was considered a spaghetti western. She was known as the "Black Venus". During this time she was busy touring with Davis as a singer and dancer, making films in Italy, and reprising her role in Golden Boy during its revival in London. ....With help from Sammy Davis, Falana brought her act to Las Vegas and became a top draw there. By the late 1970s, she was considered the Queen of Las Vegas. She played to sold-out crowds at The Sands, The Riviera, and the MGM Grand hotels. Finally The Aladdin offered her $100,000 a week to perform. At the time, Falana was the highest paid female performer in Las Vegas. Her show ran twenty weeks a year and became a major tourist attraction.

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ďFrom each, according to his ability; to each, according to his needĒ 1875 K Marx

You could own your new criminal status, and cultivate a "bad boy" image.

I am really surprised that Texas has never approved some form of gambling, especially with our budget woes this year. The closest place for your to gamble may be the Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass. I see their billboards when I drive out to Del Rio. Looks ultra hip and fabulous

"Life in Lubbock, Texas, taught me two things: One is that God loves you and you're going to burn in hell. The other is that sex is the most awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love." - Butch Hancock, Musician, The Flatlanders